Chapter 14: Don't Be Afraid, I'm Here
"Margaret!"
William picked her up and patted her face. "What's going on with you?"
Margaret frowned, her words a bit unclear. "It's so dark! Don't leave, don't abandon me."
Dark?
Could it be that she, like him, had claustrophobia?
William's heart softened instantly, suddenly recalling that little girl who used to cower beside him in the dark.
A sense of pity arose in William's heart, and he said gently, "Don't be afraid. I'll take you home."
A simple "take you home" always had the power to comfort.
Hearing William's words, Margaret's body gradually relaxed, but she kept mumbling something that William couldn't make out. He focused on getting her out of there.
As they walked, William kept reassuring her. "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
William carefully placed Margaret in the passenger seat of his car. Noticing that she was still clutching his coat, he gently covered her with it.
She looked so vulnerable now, so different from her usual composed demeanor, that William felt a deep sense of guilt. If only he had saved her number and contacted her right after getting her text.
Luckily, he had come. Leaving her alone for the night could have had serious consequences.
William carried Margaret to her room, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and was about to leave when she grabbed his pants tightly.
He turned to see her sleeping restlessly. Her complexion had improved but was still pale.
He tried to free himself, but she held on tighter, pulling him close.
"Don't go! Stay with me, please," she murmured, her voice trembling with a vulnerability that starkly contrasted her usual indifference. It was more like a heartfelt plea than a request.
Looking at her, William's mind drifted back to the memory of a little girl from his past.
From the first day he met Margaret, he felt she resembled that unforgettable figure in his heart, and this feeling grew stronger each day.
Despite his initial impulse to leave, William couldn't bring himself to pull away. Instead, he sat by the bed.
William's gaze remained soft as he watched Margaret, lost in thought. He imagined how different things might be if his fiancée were the girl from his past, the one he'd cherished in his dreams.
But all he knew was that the girl's nickname was Marjorie.
Nothing else. How could he find her in this vast world?
When Margaret woke up, it was already daylight.
She looked around in confusion, wondering how she got back, and then met William's gaze, realizing she was still holding his hand.
She quickly let go and sat up. "Why are you here?"
As she spoke, she remembered.
Yesterday, her phone was dying, and she was in such a bad state, almost fainting, that she couldn't make a call. She had barely managed to send him a distress message with her remaining strength.
Seeing William's tired face, his eyes bloodshot from lack of rest, Margaret felt embarrassed as she tried to recall what had happened while she was unconscious.
"Thank you for bringing me back. But why are you still in my room?" she asked.
She was grateful for his help but felt it unnecessary for him to stay all night.
William returned to his usual cold demeanor. "Who was it that held onto my hand and wouldn't let me go last night? Have you forgotten already?"
Margaret flushed with embarrassment.
"I wasn't clear-headed then, but you were. You could have let go while I was asleep."
William's expression hardened. "So, the first thing you do when you wake up is to blame me for taking care of you all night?"
"That's not what I meant," Margaret muttered.
Margaret found his behavior unusual and couldn't help but be curious.
William's face darkened, regretting his decision to stay with her out of kindness.
He said coldly, "Don't overthink it. I just didn't want anything to happen to you so I wouldn't have to explain it to Grandpa. It's not about you, so don't flatter yourself!"
Although William's words were harsh, Margaret felt relieved. This was more like something he would say.
She rolled her eyes at William. "Then you're overthinking it. I'm the last person to flatter myself!"
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